dione961

The Iditarod has 2 'starts': a ceremonial start in Anchorage, where teams take "Iditariders" on an 11-mile tour of Anchorage as a fund-raiser; and the official start in Willow, 1 1/2 hrs north by road. Here are some shots at the Anchorage run.

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Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Wow! Those are beautiful pictures of the racers with their sled dogs. I've always enjoyed the Iditarod race. I admire the endurance of the "Iditariders" and their racing dogs. I understand it takes a lot of hard work to train these dogs. They love to run. In fact, they were born to run.

Thanks for sharing those awesome pictures.

Allow me to add a few trivia about the Iditarod Race.

Again, thanks so much.

A FEW QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE

• Aka “The Last Great Race on Earth”

• 1000 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain

• Starts from Anchorage to Nome, AK

• In 1925 – the Iditarod trail was used to deliver (lifesaving) diphtheria vaccine

• Joe Redington, Sr. – founder of the race

• Rick Swenson – the only 5-time winner

• Libby Riddles – the first woman winner in 1985

• Susan Butcher – the only woman who won 4 times ("Granite," name of the lead dog)

• “Red Lantern” Award – given to the last place winner

• Mitch Seavey – in 2017, winner of the race (his 3rd) which started in Fairbanks, AK
Two records were established in this race:
1. The fastest finish time in Iditarod history
2. The oldest champion (57 years old)

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Susan Butcher with husband and lead dog, "Granite."

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Almost there, except for the cold. Great!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Another fun series, Dione. How great you had blue skies and sunshine; your exposures look terrific.

dione961

Hi there - thanks for great comments & notes - super happy you enjoyed the series. It was a really fun weekend. I may post some shots of the Willow (official) start - if any look OK. It was tough to get a clear shot there; hundreds of shooters & handlers with front row passes & thousands of locals & visitors - I was a way back in the pack! It took half an hour to get onto the highway to head back south, from the turn off, after the the event.

dione961

Hay Linda - you would've loved it - over a thousand dogs & some kennels brought pups along as well; there were kid's races with young dogs (could not get a single shot over there - SO many people!); and blue sky for 7 straight days before the official start in Willow, where it snowed (we Aussies loved that though!). I'ill post some pics at Willow if they're any good - it was very hard to get near enough though & a lot of jostling!

Thanks for the exposure comment! Wow - 3 months' work from knowing nothing about how exposure works to using Manual. All Anchorage shots used Auto ISO, but in Willow I decided to control everything to see how that would turn out - remains to be seen yet!

I do notice that composition can take a back seat while I'm working the settings & trying to doing everything really fast - can't wait 'til I get it all together! Have a great day, D.

dione961

Hay Paul - happy you enjoyed the pics! It wasn't cold - freezing or above every day - TOASTY compared to, dare I say it, Chicago & the rest of the NE & mid-east & mid-west! After a year in Alaska, we feel hot (down to just a shirt, once it gets to 40F. These 2 days were perfect for chasing sleds & running for a spot to shoot from!! Have a fab day - D.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

More great shots. I'm trying to imagine what it was like with all of the teams in motion.

I really like #2. In the thumbnail it looks like the dog is scowling, but in the download you can tell that he is really just squinting in the sunlight.